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Chapter Text

Twenty minutes after Christopher left Buck's apartment, a knock sounded on the door. Buck went to the door, and his eyes widened when he recognized Chief Alonzo, "Chief Alonzo."

"I heard you had a rough day the other day," said Chief Alonzo.

"Survived the tsunami," said Buck.

"While you saved over a dozen lives by setting up a catchline with the hose of the 136 engine, which helped save my niece, who gave me your description and nickname," said Chief Alonzo. He gestured to the apartment, "May I come in?" asked Chief Alonzo.

"Come in," said Buck.

A moment later, Buck and Chief Alonzo sat across each other with cups of coffee.

"After my niece described you saving lives, it's safe to say that Captain Nash lied to me about you not being ready," said Chief Alonzo.

"Despite surviving a tsunami, I know I'm ready and shouldn't be working the fire marshal position Nash emailed me about," said Buck.

"Due to a desk job being a bad idea while on blood thinners," said Chief Alonzo.

"I was warned not to be sitting or lying down for long periods of time," said Buck.

"I've been on them before following an injury and I agree. You'd develop more blood clots working as a fire marshal than a firefighter," said Chief Alonzo.

"What are you going to do?" asked Buck.

"I'm giving you your job back as soon as your injuries from the tsunami are recovered," said Chief Alonzo.

"You are?" asked Buck.

Chief Alonzo nodded, "Aside from planning on giving you a Medal of Valor, the best way to pay you back for saving my niece is to give you your job back."

"Does this mean I'm going back to the 118?" asked Buck.

"Not the 118," said Chief Alonzo.

"Why?" asked Buck.

"Even before the embolism, Human Resources was debating if you should be working A-shift at the 118 or not due to Paramedic Han being in a romantic relationship with your older sister," said Chief Alonzo.

"Are you telling me if I didn't have an embolism, I would have been transferred right away?" asked Buck.

Chief Alonzo nodded, "I heard about how Han was to you when he was acting captain during Nash's suspension following the brief breakup between Han and your sister, and then Han and your sister started a relationship again while you were in the hospital."

"While I feel uncomfortable with Han telling my sister about everything I've done, and he was the one to tell Nash what the ER doctor said following the embolism," said Buck.

"Does this mean you don't mind HR deciding that you and Han shouldn't be allowed to work together if I give you your job back without Nash's sign-off?" asked Chief Alonzo.

Buck nodded, "I know if Maddie broke up with him again, Han would probably take it out on me. Then there's the issue of keeping family matters outside of work, which means if I have another fight with Maddie over my job, he will get angry at me for upsetting his girlfriend."

Chief Alonzo nodded, "While Han wouldn't be allowed to treat your injuries if he eventually married your sister, and it wouldn't be ethical for you to work under Chimney if he's eventually promoted to Captain if he becomes your brother-in-law."

"Then where am I going to be transferred?" asked Buck.

"You're going to A-shift at the 144 as soon as your injuries from the tsunami are healed," said Chief Alonzo.

"Alright," said Buck.

Two hours after Buck filled out the paperwork Chief Alonzo gave him, Buck was over at Hen's house, "Please don't tell anymore, but I'm returning to work, but Chief Alonzo decided to transfer me to the 144 after he found out I saved over a dozen of lives which included his niece during the tsunami, Hen," said Buck.

"What about the blood thinners? You have to worry about cuts and bruises right now," said Hen.

Buck shook his head, "As a paramedic who used to be a pharmaceutical rep, I think you'd be the one who'd realize that working jobs like a fire marshal, 9-1-1 Dispatcher, LAFD liaison, and other jobs that would have me spend up to eight hours sitting at a desk would also be too dangerous for me right now."

Hen paled, "Working a desk job while on blood thinners would give you a risk of developing more blood clots."

Buck nodded, "Exactly, and Chief Alonzo decided to deal with my return to work himself." 

"Good, but why aren't you returning to the 118?" asked Hen.

"Between passing my requalifications before the party to celebrate my return to work and collapsing from a pulmonary embolism, HR was questioning if I should be allowed to work with Chimney or not," said Buck.

Hen quickly connected the dots, "Due to Chimney dating your sister?" asked Hen.

Buck nodded, "Chimney wouldn't be allowed to treat my injuries anymore, and I can't work under him if he becomes Captain again. Then there's the issue about keeping family matters outside of work if Maddie and I have more sibling spats or if Chimney and I would remain professional if Maddie and Chimney break up again."

Hen gave Buck a sad smile, "Human Resources are right to worry about yours and Chimney's professional relationship, Buck. I'm sorry that Chimney dating your sister affected your place at the 118 after being gone for five months, Buckaroo." 

"It's alright, Hen. I'm going to miss working with everyone at the 118, but I'm relieved HR decided to take matters into their own hands sooner than later," said Buck.

Later on that night, Buck entered Eddie's house.

"What's wrong, Buck? Christopher's asleep," said Eddie.

"Please don't tell anyone what I'm about to tell you," said Buck.

"I won't unless it puts you or someone else in danger," said Eddie.

"Chief Alonzo stopped by my apartment after you left, and he told me one of the lives I saved during the tsunami was his niece," said Buck.

"He thanked you?" asked Eddie.

Buck nodded, "Yes, and he's placing me at the 144 after my injuries are healed because he considers me saving over a dozen lives proves that I'm ready and is fixing a mistake Bobby made."

"A mistake Bobby made?" asked Eddie.

"Bobby is trying to set me up with the position of fire marshal, but that position is more dangerous than firefighting right now," said Buck.

"Why would being a fire marshal be more dangerous?" asked Eddie.

"Working a desk job while on blood thinners would give me a higher risk of developing more blood clots," said Buck,

"Mierda," swore Eddie.

Buck nodded, "Chief Alonzo realized how dangerous working as a fire marshal would be, and HR brought up a concern about me returning to the 118 before I developed an embolism."

"Why would HR be concerned about you returning to the 118?" asked Eddie.

"Chief Alonzo and HR decided I'm not allowed to work with Chimney anymore," said Buck.

"Due to Chimney dating your sister?" asked Eddie.

Buck nodded, "They're worried about Chimney bothering me at work if Maddie and I have another sibling spat over me not giving up firefighting like she wants me to and how Chimney would treat me if they broke up again."

Eddie thought of something else as he thought about Chimney and Hen forbidding him from working on Shannon before Shannon passed away from her injuries, "Then there'd be the issues over Chimney treating your injuries if he eventually becomes your brother-in-law or you working under him if he became Captain of the 118 again if Bobby takes time off or gets promoted and he's still in a relationship with your sister."

Buck nodded, "Yeah, and I'm sorry I can't have your back at the 118 anymore."

"It's alright, Buck. Since you're also working A-shift, we'll still be able to hangout between shifts," said Eddie.

Buck nodded, "While you could also see about transferring to the 144 when there's a future opening there."

"Which I'll watch out for," said Eddie. 

Buck looked at the clock, "I should get going."

"Why don't you stay the night, Buck," said Eddie.

"Are you sure?" asked Buck.

"Christopher has been having nightmares, and having you here would help him," said Eddie.

"I've been having nightmares, too," said Buck softly.

A few minutes later, Buck changed into a pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt he had left at Eddie's house before making himself a bed on Eddie's couch.

Two weeks later, Buck, who had transferred to A-shift at the 144, was helping workers in a skyscraper leave the building during a fire drill when his new Captain's voice sounded over his radio.

"Here's a heads-up that the 118 has arrived at the scene, Buckley," said Captain Tyler Jenkins.

Grateful he had told Eddie about his transfer, Buck pressed a button on his radio, "Copy you, Cap. I'll focus on my job."

After everyone was safely out of the building, including a guy Buck had caught having a seizure and preventing a domino effect from happening, Buck took a water break as Bobby stormed over to him.

Bobby looked at Buck, wearing turnout gear and a helmet that said 144. "What are you doing here, Buck?" asked Bobby.

Captain Jenkins quickly came over and looked at Buck, "Get in the engine, Buck."

Buck nodded, "Yes, sir."

After Buck walked away, Bobby glared at Captain Jenkins, "That's my firefighter."

"Now isn't the time or place to cause a scene, Nash," said Captain Jenkins before radioing his team that it was time to go.

A few hours after returning to the 144 station following the fire drill, Buck shook his head when he saw the Captain's truck and his sister's vehicle pulling up. He flagged his new Captain, "Captain Jenkins, I have some unwanted visitors."

Captain Jenkins grinned, "Just let me do the talking, Buck."

"Alright," said Buck.

A moment later, Bobby, Chimney, and Maddie were by Buck and Captain Jenkins.

"I didn't sign off your return, Buck," said Captain Nash.

"IT'S TOO DANGEROUS TO WORK AS A FIREFIGHTER WHILE ON BLOOD THINNERS, EVAN!" yelled Maddie.

"You didn't tell your sister," said Chimney.

Captain Jenkins looked between Bobby, Maddie, and Chimney, "Buckley's been transferred here because Chief Alonzo decided Buckley was ready to return to work following Buckley saving his niece's life in the tsunami and his doctor clearing him for active duty."

"Firefighting is too dangerous with a blood clotting condition. Evan should have accepted the fire marshal position where he'd be safe," said Maddie.

Captain Jenkins locked eyes with Maddie, "I heard you're a former emergency room nurse while you were once married to a cardiothoracic surgeon. During nursing school, didn't you learn that patients on blood thinners should remain active and not be sitting or lying down for long periods?" asked Captain Jenkins.

Chimney realized what Captain Jenkins was talking about as he paled, "Buck working as a fire marshal would give him a higher risk of getting more blood clots right now."

Captain Jenkins snapped his finger, "You're correct, Paramedic Han. Buckley's been cleared by his doctor to work as a firefighter as long as there's glue available to seal wounds, and he doesn't do any rope rescues for the time being."

Bobby, who had paled during Chimney's answer, looked at Buck, "I'm sorry for trying to talk you into a job that would give you a risk of developing more clots, Buck."

Buck remained silent.

"Would you be willing to return to the 118 and work under me?" asked Bobby.

"As much as I'd love to work under you, I'm not allowed to return to the 118," said Buck.

"Why?" asked Bobby.

Chief Jenkins gestured between Chimney and Maddie, "The relationship between Paramedic Han and Dispatcher Buckley is the reason why Chief Alonzo placed Buckley here rather than back at the 118 under you, Nash."

"What do you mean about Maddie and I being the reason Chief Alonzo transferred Buck?" asked Chimney.

Maddie looked at her brother, "Why can't you work where Howie could keep an eye on you for me?" asked Maddie.

"Aside from now realizing that you're having Chimney be your spy to keep an eye on me for you, HR was concerned about Chimney and I remaining professional if you and I have sibling spats or if you two break up again. Then there's the issue of Chimney not being allowed to treat future injuries I sustain if you two get married or if he'll remain professional if he becomes Captain of the 118 again," said Buck.

Chimney frowned.

Captain Jenkins nodded, "And due to Buckley returning to work following a long absence, Chief Alonzo and HR decided it'd be easier to transfer Buckley to a different station than Han sooner than later."

Maddie glared at her brother, "You didn't fight over being forced to transfer?" asked Maddie.

Buck nodded, "I don't feel comfortable working with someone who is dating you."

Captain Jenkins looked at Bobby and Chimney, "I know you two are still on-duty right now, so you two better get back to your own station so it can be placed back online."

"You know I took the 118 offline?" asked Bobby.

"I asked Dispatch to warn me if the 118 was placed offline following the fire drill after I saw the glare you gave me," said Captain Jenkins. He looked at Maddie, "You're starting a shift at Dispatch in 30 minutes. You better get going before you get in trouble for being late, and here's a warning that Belvins, Russo, and Bates have already been warned about Buckley being transferred here. They will be watching you to ensure you don't interfere with your brother's ability to do his job."

Maddie glared at her brother, "I expect you to come over when we're both off-duty because we're going to talk about you transferring behind my back."

"I'm not going to be coming over because I'm an adult who's allowed to work whatever job I want. I'm setting some boundaries which involves me changing my locks, blocking yours and Chimney's numbers, my landlord knows not to allow you into my apartment, and I don't want to speak to you until you seek therapy for the traumas you never got therapy for," said Buck. He looked at Captain Jenkins, "I'm going to go work on my chores."

"Go ahead," said Captain Jenkins.

After Buck walked away, Captain Jenkins looked between Bobby, Chimney, and Maddie, "I want you three to leave, and you three or any other 118 members who are unhappy about Buckley transferring won't be welcomed in my station when Buckley's on shift." 

"You can't keep me from visiting my brother," said Maddie.

"I can keep family members from visiting if they interfere my firefighter's ability to do their job. Now leave before I call the police," said Chief Jenkins.

Chimney looked at Maddie, "Let's go, Maddie. HR has valid points about why Buck and I can't work together anymore."

Days later, Buck was having dinner with Bobby and Athena.

"Even if I apologized the other day, I'm sorry for telling Chief Alonzo you weren't ready and almost killing you with my decision to give you a desk job, Buck. I realized you became a son to me the past two years, and I wanted to keep you safe," said Bobby.

"Apology accepted. You became a father to me the past two years, and I think for the best that we don't work together anymore," said Buck. He gave Bobby a look, "I hope you're going to seek professional help over me taking a hit that was meant for you and watching me cough up blood."

"Chief Alonzo mandated me therapy after he told me that I'll be fired if I ever hold someone who's cleared to return to work back from working again," said Bobby.

"Good, and I'm still seeing the therapist I got for myself when I was in the Academy when the people who interviewed me insisted I get therapy when I mentioned I never got therapy after I found out I was a savior sibling," said Buck.

"I'm also sorry about you being forced to transfer due to Chimney dating your sister," said Bobby.

"It's alright, Bobby. I'm glad HR decided I'm not able to work with Chimney. I didn't like how he treated me about my sex life, gossiping to other coworkers about me, and how he stopped taking me seriously and would give Maddie reports about me when he started getting close with Maddie," said Buck.

“I hope you know I punished Chimney for being the reason why you were transferred by not allowing him to do a rope rescue to keep him safe. Maddie shouldn’t date a firefighter/paramedic if she thinks firefighting is too dangerous for her own baby brother,” said Bobby.

“Really?” asked Buck.

Bobby nodded, “Everyone is mad at Chimney for being the reason why you were forced to transfer.”

“While I heard your sister is now burning bridges between firefighters and police. I gave her some choice words and told her not to call me again earlier,” said Athena.

"Are you happy at the 144?" asked Bobby.

Buck nodded, "Everyone's been nice to me, and I'm looking forward to doing rope rescues again when the screws are out and I'm off the blood thinners."

"So the cause was found?" asked Bobby.

Buck nodded, "During a scan that was done following the tsunami, a small clot was found by one of the screws and the screws and blood clots are a common reaction if your body doesn't tolerate the type of metal the screws are. In a couple of months, I'll be getting the screws removed."

"That's good, Buckaroo," said Athena.

Buck nodded, "Yes, and I want you to know that both you and Eddie are my emergency contact and power of attorney, Athena."

"Not Maddie or me?" asked Bobby.

"After you telling the chief I'm not ready and not remembering how dangerous working as a fire marshall could be for me right now, I don't think I can handle you making any medical decisions for me anymore," said Buck.

"I understand," said Bobby.

"While I can't trust Maddie anymore because she used Chimney as her mouthpiece in the hope of me not returning to firefighting and is treating me as the little boy she was forced to take care of following Daniel's death," said Buck.

"I know your sister's been banned from visiting you at the 144. Are you doing anything to keep her from confronting you outside of work?" asked Bobby.

"I told Maddie that I blocked her and Chimney's numbers, changed my locks, told the landlord not to allow her into my apartment, and I'm not going to talk to her until she seeks therapy," said Buck.

"I'm glad you're setting boundaries," said Athena.

"Me, too," said Buck before yawning a bit.

"Why don't you stay in the guest bedroom so I know you're safe instead of driving while tired," said Athena.

"Are you sure?" asked Buck.

Athena nodded, "Yes."

"You spending the night would allow us to cook breakfast together tomorrow morning because I miss having you as my sous chef and teaching you recipes," said Bobby.

Buck grinned, "I'd love to stay the night because not getting to cook with you during shifts is one of the things I hate not being allowed to work at the 118, Bobby."

"We'll get together once a week to cook breakfast, lunch, or dinner here and in your apartment," said Bobby.

Athena nodded, "You quickly became one of my kids after you saved my life last year, and May and Harry both looked up to you as their cool older brother."

"No matter if you're no longer part of the 118, you'll still be part of the Grant-Nash family," said Bobby.

"You two are better parents to me than my own," said Buck.

"Maybe we should see about you becoming a Grant-Nash so your parents and sister don't have any claims or rights to you anymore?" asked Athena.

"That would be great," said Buck.

"We'll start the process tomorrow," said Bobby.

Chapter Text

A week after learning about Buck's transfer, Chimney dealing with the cold shoulder from everyone at the 118 and various firehouses thanks to Buck's coworkers from the 144 spreading the word about what Maddie said to her brother about firefighting while Bobby had even held him back from doing a rope rescue, was doing inventory on the ambulance with Hen.

"I feel like everyone here hates me right now," said Chimney.

Hen gave her best friend a look, "I can't blame them. I might be an only child, but you're an idiot for violating the bro code."

"Bro code?" asked Chimney.

Eddie joined them and glared at Chimney, "One of the rules of the bro code is your friend's sister or brother is always off limits for dating."

Bobby, who came to ensure everyone was doing their chores because he was on thin ice with Chief Alonzo, who told him if he lied to him one more time, he'd be fired, spoke up, "Eddie's right. My childhood friends and coworkers at my old firehouse in Minnesota had the rule about dating siblings being off limits as part of the bro code."

"And your choice to date my best friend's sister out of all the women in LA keeps me from having his back on calls. I looked into transfers at the 144, but there's no opening at A-shift there right now," grumbled Eddie.

A voice then sounded, causing Chimney to deflate.

"Howie, you have been canceling dates and not answering my calls. Can you please go to HR and ask them to get Evan transferred back here?" asked Maddie.

Chimney looked at his girlfriend, "I'm working, Maddie."

"Ms. Buckley, Paramedic Han is on duty right now. You can spend time with Paramedic Han when he's off shift," said Bobby sternly.

"You can't ban me from seeing my boyfriend," snapped Maddie.

"I need Paramedic Han to focus on his assigned chores when not out on calls," said Bobby.

Maddie looked between her brother's former coworkers, "Why aren't any of you mad about Evan not working the fire marshal job he was offered?" asked Maddie.

"As a former pharmaceutical rep, working a desk job like a fire marshal while on blood thinners is more dangerous now. Buck would develop more blood clots if he's sitting at a desk for eight hours a day, five days a week," said Hen.

"I can't believe you were once an emergency room nurse if you believe your brother should be working a desk job while on blood thinners," said Eddie.

Hen pointed at the ambulance, "All the ambulances are stocked with surgical glue."

"While your brother got transferred to the 144 because HR stated that due to your relationship with Paramedic Han, it wasn't appropriate for Buck and Paramedic Han to continue working together," said Bobby. His eyes darkened a bit, "Plus, Buck felt he couldn't trust me as his Captain after I went behind his back and told the Chief he wasn't ready after you had Han tell me that your brother overdid it when it was the hardware that caused the embolism."

"Either way, firefighting is dangerous," snapped Maddie.

"Then why are you dating me if you consider your brother's job dangerous?" asked Chimney.

"Working as a paramedic is safer," said Maddie.

Chimney shook his head, "Working as a paramedic can also be dangerous, Maddie. I'm at risk of contracting infectious diseases through blood and airborne pathogens. Then there's the fact that patients can be combative, lifting injuries and traffic accidents," said Chimney. He closed his eyes, "If I wasn't riding in a different vehicle, I would have been sitting in the exact spot your brother was sitting the night Freddie Costas targeted the 118, Maddie. With me being much older, I might not have survived that night like your brother had."

"Plus as a former ER nurse, you'd understand the dangers with patients stabbing you with a scapel, their blood coming in contact with you, and congatious illnesses," said Hen.

The alarm went off before Maddie could say anything, causing Chimney to look at Maddie, "I have to go, and I'll see you in a week."

"A week?" asked Maddie.

"I won't have any time to see you for the next week, so I'll see you before Halloween," said Chimney before hurrying away.

Bobby looked at Maddie, "You're not allowed to step foot in here again unless you're experiencing a medical emergency. If you're not gone in five minutes, the man behind will be calling the police to arrest you for transpassing."

The firefighter, working as the man behind, nodded at Bobby, "I'll call the police if Ms. Buckley is still here in five minutes."

A few days later, Buck, who had managed to quickly get a five-bedroom single-level house with the trust fund his father had sent him information on after his father emailed him while he was recovering from getting his leg crushed, leaned against his Jeep as Eddie exited the jail, "I know you promised to help me move after you dropped Christopher off at the zoo, but I didn't expect to bail you out of jail today."

"I'm sorry, and I'll pay you back," said Eddie.

"It's alright, Eddie. Since I left Hershey and he told me about Daniel in an email, my father has been putting $500 in my bank account monthly as guilt/stay-away money. He still puts $500 in my account every month, and he even sent me information about a trust fund from his deceased grandparents he thought I should have access to," said Buck.

Eddie, who knew about Buck being a savior sibling as they talked about having awful parents' spoke up, "Even if you have a trust fund, I'm still paying you back."

"What happened?" asked Buck.

"Let me tell you while we head to the zoo to pick up my truck," said Eddie.

A few minutes later, Buck was listening to Eddie tell him about the guy who confronted him for parking in a handicapped spot.

When Eddie finished, Buck said, "I think you need therapy."

"No, I don't," said Eddie.

"You've been through a lot since May, too, Eddie. Shannon dying, your parents trying to have you return to El Paso, my leg getting crushed, me developing an embolism, Chris and I getting caught in the tsunami, and me being forced to transfer at HR's insistence due to Chimney dating my sister," said Buck. He sighed, "My parents and Maddie might be against therapy, but I've been seeing once for a good couple of years now."

"Really?" asked Eddie.

Buck nodded, "When I disclosed that I was a savior sibling in my application, I was asked if I ever got therapy for the emotional turmoil I felt about my parents and sister keeping a secret from me my entire life. When I said I didn't get therapy because of traveling around the country and barely having access to the internet unless I got access to Wifi in a coffee shop, library, and the rare hotel room I got to stay in, I was forced into therapy while in the Academy."

Later on that night, Buck and Eddie were playing a martial arts video game on Buck's couch as they drank non-alcoholic beverages due to it being advised that Buck shouldn't drink alcoholic beverages while on blood thinners.

"Thank you for helping me move in here," said Buck.

"Not a problem, Buck," said Eddie.

"Thank you for not telling Chimney about me moving," said Buck.

"With how your sister was at the 118 a few days ago, you made the right choice to only tell Bobby and me about the move," said Eddie.

Aware that Bobby had banned his sister from stepping into the 118, Buck nodded, "While I had Athena help me find a good security system instead of asking Chimney to set one up so he can't tell Maddie where I moved to."

Eddie looked around the living room, "With a five-bedroom house, what are you going to do?" asked Eddie.

"Ali contacted me after I went viral during the tsunami when someone in a nearby building filmed me rescuing people in the tsunami," said Buck.

"Even if she broke up with you?" asked Eddie.

Buck nodded, "She told me she's pregnant with my babies, and they're mine."

"If you're saying babies, Ali's pregnant with more than one baby?" asked Eddie.

Buck nodded, "Ali's currently 26 weeks pregnant with boy/girl twins, and she's giving me full custody because she's not ready to be a mother."

"Why didn't you say anything?" asked Eddie.

"I didn't want Maddie and Chimney to find out because Maddie would feel like I'm too young, immature, and reckless to be a single father and most likely complain to my donors as she did about me returning to work," said Buck.

Eddie clapped Buck on the back, "With how great you are with Christopher, Harry, and Denny, you're going to be a great father."

"I'm scared and excited," said Buck.

"A majority of fathers feel like that, Buck," said Eddie.

"That's what my therapist said," said Buck.

"Have you been thinking about names?" asked Eddie.

Buck nodded, "I'm already planning on naming them Adeline Sophia and Nathaniel Wade. Even if my folks back in Hershey despise nicknames, I'll be calling them Addy and Nate as nicknames."

"Even if one of my sisters is named Sofia, good names," said Eddie.

Buck smirked, "Especially because I can see Bobby and Athena crying when I tell them about Addy and Nate. Sophia means wisdom like Athena, and Wade is Bobby's middle name."

"So you're naming them after the two people who became parental figures to you due to your parents not even coming here during the times you and Maddie ended up in the hospital," said Eddie.

Buck nodded, "They're drawing up papers to adopt me so I can cut off contact with my bios and Maddie."

Two days later, Buck was gathered with his coworkers at the 144 as Captain Tyler told them that various firefighters from different houses were arrested at an illegal street fight that was taking place in a junkyard.

Meanwhile, at the 118, Chimney, who had learned that Eddie’s temporary partner Lena Bosko was one of the firefighters who were arrested over the weekend, spoke up, "Even if Bosko got arrested on Saturday night, can Buck come back?" asked Chimney.

Bobby shook his head, "You know you and Buck aren't allowed to work together anymore due to your relationship with his sister."

"I just want to make things right with everyone by having Buck return," said Chimney.

"I don't get why you want to date someone who considers our job dangerous," said Eddie.

Everyone walked away from Chimney before Chimney could say something.

The day before Halloween, Chimney looked at Maddie after he called her out for doing the same thing Doug did to him, "I should have never said yes to dating you again when you showed up at the 118 to tell me you were ready, Maddie."

"What are you saying?" asked Maddie.

"I want to break up with you," said Chimney.

Maddie teared up, "Why?" asked Maddie.

"Our relationship isn't healthy," said Chimney.

"Isn't healthy?" asked Maddie.

"A week after your brother's leg got crushed, you decided you were ready for another chance with me," said Chimney.

"Watching Evan get his leg crushed reminded me that I shouldn't wait too long. I know you want to have kids someday, and we're not getting any younger," said Maddie.

"But now I regret getting together with you. I've been getting the cold shoulder or being talked to in a cold tone because everyone is pissed at me for dating you," said Chimney.

"We can't help who we fall in love with," said Maddie.

"I know, but I was told I violated the bro code. Buck was my friend first, and that has angered quite a bit of firefighters who also have sisters," said Chimney.

"How is Robert handling the treatment towards you?" asked Maddie.

"Aside from being mad that you whispered in his ear through me about an incorrect diagnosis from an ER doctor, Bobby's pissed that my relationship with you is the reason why the Chief and HR transferred Buck over his head. Two weeks back, he decided to have Hen do a rope rescue instead of me when I offered while claiming that if I'm going to be dating someone who doesn't want her brother to be a firefighter, I should only focus on paramedic work," said Chimney.

"Henrietta didn't stick up for you?" asked Maddie.

Chimney shook his head, "It's Hen, not Henrietta."

"My parents hate nicknames, Howie," said Maddie.

"But people like your brother, Hen, Eddie, Bobby, and even myself like to go by chosen names and nicknames instead of their government names," snapped Chimney. He got back on topic, "Hen told me I'm an idiot for choosing to date you out of all the available women in LA because I should have thought about the professional implications dating a coworker's sister could bring to either Buck or me."

"They'll just have to live with us being together," said Maddie.

Chimney shook his head, "I don't think you're ready to be in a relationship at all, Maddie. You quickly developed a relationship with me instead of enjoying life as a single woman after finally being free from an abusive marriage that lasted over a decade, and you should be in therapy for months to a few years instead of going for a few weeks and just stopping. You need professional help for the PTSD you've been dealing with, Maddie."

"My parents hate therapy," said Maddie.

"I was forced to seek therapy after I got a rebar through my head and after Doug stabbed me. I ended up deciding to get therapy myself after I found out my relationship with you forced Buck to be transferred," said Chimney. He looked into Maddie's eyes as he pulled out his phone and blocked Maddie's number before deleting Maddie's contact, "We're done for good. I just blocked your number and deleted your contact while I'm going to stay somewhere else until you get your belongings you keep at my apartment before I change the locks."

"I don't accept the break up," said Maddie.

"Either way, we’re done, and if you stalk me too, I'll be calling the police," said Chimney before walking away.

After getting into his car, Chimney headed to the Dispatch Center, where Sue was thankfully on duty, and told her he had broken up with Maddie and told her about Maddie's off-duty activities of stalking a 9-1-1 caller named Tara.

Chapter Text

After going to the Dispatch Center to report Maddie for stalking Tara, Chimney rang the doorbell of Bobby's and Athena's house only for Athena to answer.

Athena opened the door and noticed the hint of sadness in Chimney's eyes, "I'm not happy to see you, but are you alright?" asked Athena.

"I broke up with Maddie earlier due to realizing that our relationship isn't healthy. Maddie needs to focus on getting help for all the traumas she faced this year than be in a realtionship with me," said Chimney.

"I'm glad your formerly rebar-stabbed brain finally caused you to catch up on what everyone else saw," said Athena.

"I also reported Maddie to her boss because this evening I found out Maddie's been stalking a 9-1-1 caller named Tara Dagastino, who she thinks her husband Vincent is abusing her," said Chimney.

Athena tsked as she shook her head, "Even if I understand about Maddie being worried about Mrs. Dagastino due to her being in an abusive marriage for over a decade, I told Maddie I'll be telling Sue about her asking me to get everything I could find on Mr. and Mrs. Dagastino if I find out about her approaching Tara or her husband on her own. I'll call Sue in a few minutes to inform her that Maddie called me about Mrs. Dagastino."

"Even if it means possibly getting fired, Maddie needs professional help after everything that happened with Doug and then Buck," said Chimney.

Athena nodded, "I agree because so much has happened to the Buckley siblings this year."

"Do you know if Buck's working tonight?" asked Chimney.

"He's not, but he does work a 24-hour shift tomorrow like you and Bobby do tomorrow," said Athena.

"Can you please ask him to come here? I really want to tell him about my breaking up with Maddie and apologize to him. I don't think he'd appreciate me going to his loft to talk to him because he blocked my number," said Chimney.

Athena decided to keep Buck's promise of not telling Chimney about him moving, "I'll call him."

Five minutes earlier at Buck's house, Buck was showing his ex-girlfriend his house that he had finished unpacking due to Ali now being 28 weeks pregnant and starting maternity leave from traveling for work and will consult with clients remotely, "I know we're not together anymore, and you're staying in the second guest bedroom until six-weeks after you give birth, but I hope you like the house I bought for Addy, Nate, and myself. The twins will share a nursery for now, but,they'll have their own bedrooms in a few years."

Ali, who had already signed over full custody to Buck and had told Buck he could pick out the names, looked at her ex-boyfriend, "You already decided to name the twins Addy and Nate?" asked Ali.

"Adeline Sophia and Nathaniel Wade," said Buck.

"Not saying Buckley at the end?" asked Ali.

Buck blushed a bit, "Two weeks back, I had dinner with Bobby and Athena so Bobby and I could reconcile over Bobby holding me back from returning to work before the Chief decided to reinstate me and transfer me to the 144 following me saving his niece during the tsunami. They're insisting on filing the paperwork to adopt me. We filled out the paperwork last week, and I hope to become Evan Buchanan Grant-Nash by Thanksgiving."

"Meaning that you'll be filling out the birth certificates with yours, Addy, and Nate's last names being Grant-Nash," said Ali.

Buck nodded, "Yes."

Ali pulled out her phone and Googled the name Adeline, "Adeline means noble while I know Sophia means wisdom. A very strong name for your daughter."

Buck nodded, "Athena means wisdom like Sophia does, and I want Addy to be a fierce warrior."

Ali then Googled Nathaniel, "Nathaniel means God has given."

Buck nodded, "I figured with my first name meaning God is gracious, I figured Nathaniel would work without naming my son Evan Wade Grant-Nash II."

"What about the middle name, Wade?" asked Ali.

"Bobby's middle name is Wade," said Buck.

Ali thought about knowing that Margaret and Phillip Buckley are awful parents because of Buck telling her he wouldn't have existed if it wasn't for his older brother Daniel having leukemia and there was no match for bone marrow while she never saw them show up at the hospital after Maddie's abduction or when Buck's leg got crushed, "So you decided to name your kids after your chosen parents."

"Pretty much, and I can already imagine them tearing up or crying when I finally tell them about them becoming grandparents," said Buck.

"Even if I told you to pick out their names since you'll be the one raising them, the only critique I have about Adeline and Addy is those names remind me of Madeline and Maddie because if you add an M to Adeline, you spell Madeline. Even if I broke up with you because you weren't going to give up being a firefighter for me, you shouldn't name your daughter a name that's close to the name of someone who's been berating you about working as a firefighter ever since your leg got crushed," said Ali.

"Good point," said Buck.

"What's your second favorite girl's name?" asked Ali.

"Cordelia. Cordelia means daughter of the sea, and even if a tsunami almost killed Christopher and me, I still love the ocean. I would give Cordelia the nickname Cora," said Buck.

"When I first read Anne of Green Gables , I liked the name Cordelia when Anne said she wished to be called Cordelia," said Ali.

"I'd change the middle name to Sage because Sage also means wise, and Cordelia Sage sounds better than Cordelia Sophia," said Buck.

"Cordelia Sage Grant-Nash sounds better than Cordelia Sophia Grant-Nash," said Ali.

Buck thought about Ali staying with him until six weeks after giving birth so she could make sure to stock up on breast milk for the twins, "Even if we already appeared in court after we did a DNA test to make you giving me full custody easier, are you still planning on providing breast milk for the twins after you leave LA following your six-week check-up?" asked Buck.

"If I keep on producing enough breast milk, I'll send enough breast milk to last them until they're a year old," said Ali.

"Even if we're not going to work out, I appreciate you telling me about Cora and Nate when you did instead of just coming to LA for the birth and signing custody over to me," said Buck.

Ali rested a hand on Buck's arm, "Even if I broke your heart by breaking up with you while you were injured, I know you'll be a better parent to Cora and Nate than I would ever be."

Before anything else could be said, Buck's phone rang to see a call from Athena. "Yeah, Athena?" Buck asked.

"I have Han here, who's asking to meet with you in person," said Athena.

"Is he there to demand I make up with Maddie?" asked Buck.

"He's not here to confront you about you to beg for a transfer back to the 118 or make up with Maddie, but he wants to talk to you ASAP with Bobby and me as mediators," said Athena.

"I'll head on over," said Buck before hanging up.

"Heading to Sergeant Grant and Captain Nash's house?" asked Ali.

Buck nodded, "Yes."

"I'm going to head to the guest bedroom to rest," said Ali.

"I'll be back as soon as I can, and if you need something from the store or a restaurant, let me know," said Buck.

Ali nodded.

Buck was led into the living room by Bobby, where he saw a devastated-looking Chimney sitting on the couch, "Han."

Chimney looked up at Buck, "I know you probably don't want to see me ever again after the Chief and HR decide to transfer you to a different station due to my relationship with your sister, but I wanted you to be the second to know I broke up with Maddie earlier."

"Due to the treatment you've been facing from everyone at the 118?" asked Buck.

"You were told about how I was treated due to breaking the bro code by choosing to date your sister out of all the single women in LA?" asked Chimney.

Buck nodded, "I know they blame you for my transfer, and I feel like you chose to date my sister after being jealous about me getting to do the rescues I got certified for and getting attention from people we encounter on calls."

Chimney nodded, "I've been jealous of you," said Chimney. He took a breath, "I'm sorry for how I treated you the past two years, dating your sister, and allowing Maddie to use me as her mouthpiece last month. If I knew dating your sister would have caused professional consequences, I would have never asked her out."

"Apology accepted, but it's going to take time to forgive you," said Buck.

"I understand," said Chimney. He took a breath, "I've been going to therapy instead of seeing Maddie on my days off. Would you be willing to attend some therapy sessions with me?" asked Chimney.

"Since Bobby and I've been attending therapy together the past two weeks, I'm willing to attend some sessions with you," said Buck.

"Thank you. I want you to know that Maddie might be getting suspended or losing her job tomorow," said Chimney.

"What do you mean?" asked Buck.

"She's stalking a 9-1-1 caller she claims to be a victim of domestic abuse," said Chimney.

Buck sighed, "Even if I helped her get a job at the Dispatch Center, I should have realized that it wouldn't be a good idea due to 9-1-1 Dispatchers getting calls that deal with domestic abuse just like we do."

"You just wanted to help your sister help people differently," said Chimney.

"Either way, Maddie's breaking the code of ethics like Abby did by stealing my number from a report and only calling me after seeing what I looked like on TV," said Buck.

Chimney nodded as he recounted meeting Tara and her husband earlier.

When he was finished, he looked at Buck, "After I walked away from Maddie, I went to the Dispatch Center to report Maddie's actions before I came here and found out from Athena that Maddie asked her to do a background check on Tara and her husband."

"I already contacted Sue at the Dispatch Center and told her Maddie had me give her information on Mr. Dagastino and her husband, which led Maddie to start stalking Tara by befriending her," said Athena.

Buck looked at Chimney, "Reporting Maddie for stalking Tara is petty of you after you broke up with Maddie."

"I wanted to make sure that she won't take me back and take getting in trouble at work as an opportunity to realize she needs help," said Chimney.

"I doubt she will if she's told you were the one to give Sue a complaint about her," said Buck.

"You're not mad about me getting your sister in trouble at work?" asked Chimney.

Buck shook his head, "Sister or not, what Maddie's been doing is illegal. I get it she wants to get Tara out of an abusive situation, but stalking someone who's in the same situation she was won't help with her PTSD."

"I agree because she freaked out over breaking a plate a few weeks back," said Chimney.

"Maddie desperately needs more therapy than what she got after Doug abducted her. I wouldn't be surprised if she's been dealing with PTSD for watching Daniel die in the hospital while seeing me recover from getting my leg crushed, suffering from an embolism, and then surviving the tsunami," said Buck.

Chimney frowned, "Who's Daniel?" asked Chimney.

"You ever questioned the age difference between Maddie and me?" asked Buck.

"I have a younger brother who has a larger age difference than you do with Maddie in South Korea because my father decided to move on from my dead mother. Part of me just thought that your parents tried for years to have a boy after having Maddie," said Chimney.

"That's what I thought until my father sent me an email with my full medical records while telling me I wouldn't have existed if it wasn't for my older brother Daniel developing leukemia in 1988, he responded to treatment, or there was a match for bone marrow in the family," said Buck.

Chimney's eyes widened, "Are you telling me you were a savior sibling?" asked Chimney.

"I was a perfect match, but my bone marrow didn't graft, and Daniel relapsed and passed away when I was one. Unless I got injured or got into trouble, my parents never paid any attention to me and forced Maddie to take care of me because my sperm donor wouldn't get my egg donor professional help for her post-partum depression, which I wouldn't be surprised if she's still suffering from it today. Our parents swore Maddie to secrecy, and I was only told by my father in an email after I ran away from Hershey because he realized I wasn't coming back and needed to know about future health and possible employment opportunities," said Buck.

"That's messed up, Buck," said Chimney.

"It is, and it's messed up that Maddie doesn't treat me like an adult anymore because she sees me as the little boy she was forced to raise before she met Doug," said Buck.

"I agree because I don't believe your parents ever got Maddie help for losing her brother Daniel," said Chimney.

Buck nodded, "I don't think so either because they're against therapy."

"At least breaking up with your sister means I'll never have to encounter your parents. They're horrible people instead of who Maddie called good people but bad parents when I asked Maddie why they weren't showing up when you were in the hospital," said Chimney.

"They're horrible people, and I don't regret moving to the opposite side of the country to escape them," said Buck.

"Have you talked to your parents ever since your father emailed you about your brother and family health history?" asked Chimney.

"Aside from only calling them after Doug died so they wouldn't find out on Dateline, I just send emails on their birthdays and holidays to tell them I'm still alive and where I am. They consider firefighting dangerous and don't like it that I go by a nickname," said Buck.

"Nicknames are cool because I go by one, and you're lucky about your firefighting nickname is a shortened version of your last name," said Chimney.

"Maddie reminds me too much of my egg donor by calling me Evan in a condescending and judgemental tone. She blamed me for the pulmonary embolism when it turned out that the cause of the blood clots are from the screws," said Buck.

"The screws?" asked Chimney.

Buck nodded, "That's what one of the scans from last month showed, and I'll be getting them removed in early January."

Before Chimney could ask something else, Chimney's phone rang.

Chimney frowned when he saw it was a number he didn't recognize with an LA code. He answered the phone, "Hello?" asked Chimney.

"Is this Howard Han?" asked a male voice.

"This is him," said Chimney.

"This is Officer Williams from LAPD calling. I wanted to let you know two officers arrested Maddie Buckley thirty minutes ago," said Officer Williams.

"I remember you from calls, Officer Williams. I'm with her brother right now. Can I put my phone on speaker so Maddie's little brother Buck can hear what you're calling about, too?" asked Chimney.

"Go ahead because I was going to be contacting him next about Ms. Buckley's arrest next," said Officer Williams.

For the next couple of minutes, Buck, Chimney, Bobby, and Athena listened to Officer Williams telling him he had arrested Maddie Buckley, who had used her key to get into Chimney's apartment and destroyed his TV and dishes before Maddie left his apartment and drove over to the apartment complex where Buck was no longer a resident at where Maddie physically assaulted the new tenant for not telling her where her brother is just as police showed up. When officers tried to apprehend Maddie, Maddie physically assaulted one of the officers by breaking the officer's nose.

When Officer Williams finished talking, Buck sighed, "Thank goodness I moved when I did."

"You moved?" asked Chimney.

Buck nodded, "While I was on medical leave before recertifying, I got an email from my father, who told me how to access my trust fund. I bought a five-bedroom and four-and-a-half-bath house which I moved into a week and a half ago."

"While I'm glad I didn't go straight to my apartment but here," said Chimney. He got serious, "I take it Maddie called me as her one phone call to have me bail her out even if I broke up with her?" asked Chimney.

"I wanted to let you know that her behavior earned her a 72-hour psych hold in the hospital due to her screaming about Howie, Evan, Tara, and a few other things during her arrest," said Officer Williams.

"She desperately needs a psych hold because aside from doing therapy for a few weeks after her late husband abducted her, she never got help for our brother Daniel's death or after my leg got crushed when I suffered from an embolism and survived the tsunami," said Buck.

"I agree because she's been dealing with PTSD from being in an abusive marriage for over a decade," said Chimney.

"No matter what happens after the mandatory 72-hour psych hold, Ms. Buckley will be serving time for assaulting the new owner of Firefighter Buckley's old apartment and breaking Officer Callum's nose when resisting arrest," said Officer Williams.

"While I want her to face charges for destroying my property out of spite for me breaking up with her," said Chimney.

"Those charges will be added on," said Officer Williams.

After hanging up, Athena looked between Buck and Chimney.

"With Maddie assaulting an officer, she's going to be losing her job now and not be allowed to work as a Dispatcher or a nurse ever again," said Athena.

"While I should probably expect my egg and sperm donors to come out when Maddie's finally allowed access to a phone. Even if they checked out on parenting after Daniel's death and cut off Maddie for marrying Doug, she was their favorite," said Buck.

Athena rested a hand on Buck's shoulder, "It's a good thing we already have a court hearing scheduled for November 1st."

"Why did you buy a five-bedroom and four and a half bath house if you're single and end your lease on the loft so quickly, Buck?" asked Chimney.

"Even if I helped you set up a home security system and you had Eddie help you move in, I know you've been hiding something the past couple of weeks, Buck," said Athena.

Buck reached into his pocket and pulled up an ultrasound picture from the ultrasound that Ali opted to have for her 24-week check-up since Ali refused to find out when she realized she couldn't find out without him during her 20-week ultrasound.

Athena recognized the small rectangle black and white photo, "Is that what I think it is?" asked Athena.

Buck nodded as he looked between Bobby and Athena, "Here's the first picture of your grandchildren, Cordelia Sage Grant-Nash and Nathaniel Wade Grant-Nash."

Chapter Text

A minute after Buck told Bobby and Athena that Cordelia and Nathaniel would be their grandchildren, Bobby finally had the urge to speak, "You're going to be a father?" asked Bobby.

"Yes," said Buck.

"Did you have any trouble with breaking the lease out of your loft apartment?" asked Bobby.

Buck shook his head, "My former landlord was very understanding about my need to break my lease when the offer on my house got accepted, and the house passed inspection. He agreed that other tenants wouldn't appreciate two crying babies while he agreed a loft apartment isn't safe for a baby."

"Good," said Bobby.

Athena looked at the ultrasound photo and saw Ali Martin's name typed in, and she was 24 weeks pregnant four weeks ago, "Ali Martin is the mother."

Buck nodded, "Ali found out a few weeks after breaking up with me, but she was scared to tell me until after she heard I survived the tsunami and decided to check in on me and tell me the truth. As of this week, she's 28-weeks pregnant."

"Even if she broke your heart, at least she told you instead of raising Cordelia and Nathaniel on her own, planning on giving them up for adoption or aborting them without telling you," said Athena.

"I'm glad she decided to become clean because I always wanted kids of my own, even if Ali and I aren't getting back together," said Buck.

"You're not back together with Ali?" asked Bobby.

"We're not, but we came to an agreement," said Buck.

"I take it a custody agreement has been set up?" asked Athena.

"With Ali's job requiring her to travel for work and realizing she doesn't want to become a mother-."

"She decided you'll have custody," said Athena.

"Even if she's living with me until she's cleared to travel again after giving birth and promised to provide milk for up to a year and always update me on her health for Cora's and Nate's family medical history, she's signing away her paternal rights," said Buck.

"Ali's signing away her rights?" asked Bobby.

"Yes, and the family lawyer we already met up with agreed with Ali's and my reasoning about my job as a firefighter-" said Buck.

"You have a bit more stability even if your shifts can vary from 12-hour shifts to 48-hour shifts with days off in between to spend time with Cordelia and Nathaniel as long as you find suitable childcare," finished Bobby.

Buck nodded, "I'll have plenty of help from you guys, coworkers, a daycare center, and a live-in nanny or manny who'll live in the in-law apartment that's already above the garage and sleep in a guest bedroom when I'm on a shift that requires me to spend the night at work."

"You're right about us helping helping," said Bobby.

Athena nodded, "Knowing May, she's going to beg you to let her babysit on weekends and school breaks for extra money outside of her allowance."

Buck chuckled, "I know."

"Are you already looking into a live-in nanny or manny?" asked Athena.

Buck nodded, "Even if I plan on sending Cora and Nate to daycare for socialization when they're toddlers, Carla's already helping me find a nanny or a manny to watch Cora and Nate when I'm on shift. Whoever I hire will reside in the apartment above the garage when I'm home and will stay in the guest bedroom when I'm on shift."

"Before you interview each live-in nanny or manny, you better allow me to do a background check on them for the safety of my sweet and sassy grandbabies," said Athena sternly.

Buck smirked, "If you just called Cora and Nate your grandbabies, you're not mad that I'm calling Cora and Nate your grandchildren?" asked Buck.

Athena hugged Buck, "Unlike the couple who brought you into this world, I'm honored to be you want me to be a grandmother to Cordelia and Nathaniel."

Bobby nodded, "After never seeing them show up whenever you ended up in the hospital, they don't deserve to be part of Cordelia and Nathaniel's lives."

"Ever since I saw you be protective over the baby you helped rescue from a pipe, I knew you'd become a wonderful father someday," said Athena. She locked eyes with Buck, "You better teach Cora and Nate to call me Memaw, Mimi, or Nana instead of calling me Grandma, though."

"They'll call you Nana, Mimi, or Memaw," said Buck. He looked at Bobby, who had some tears leaking from his eyes as he looked at the ultrasound photo, "I know you'll always be sad about never getting grandchildren from Robbie and Brooke, but I won't make Cora and Nate call you Grandpa if you're not comfortable."

Bobby hugged Buck, "I'm looking forward to being a Pawpaw or Gramps to Cora and Nate and any other grandchildren you, May, and Harry eventually give me."

"Alright," said Buck.

"Now, why did you wait until this evening to tell us?" asked Athena.

"You had plenty of time to say something during dinner two weeks ago and the therapy sessions we've already had together," said Bobby.

"I originally wanted to wait until after I officially became Evan Buchanan Grant-Nash before telling you two that you two are getting grandchildren," said Buck.

"You're forgiven for waiting this long to tell us, but you better not make us wait if you become a father again," said Athena.

"I won't keep a secret this big again," said Buck. He took a breath, "Even though I already decided on the names, I can change Cora and Nate's middle names so they're both not named after you two."

"Sage?" asked Bobby.

"Sage means wisdom like Athena, and I originally was going to name my daughter Adeline Sophia Grant-Nash, but then I realized I was going to name my daughter a name close to Maddie's name. And despite the tsunami, Cordelia was my second favorite girl name," said Buck.

"Cordelia Sage Grant-Nash is perfect, Baby," said Athena.

"So is Nathaniel Wade Grant-Nash," said Bobby.

Buck then remembered that Chimney was still in the room and noticed how shocked Chimney looked. "Are you alright?" Buck asked.

A gobsmacked Chimney finally spoke up, "Since I didn't hear Maddie mention you and Ali expecting twins, I take it you didn't tell her before you blocked her two weeks ago?" asked Chimney.

Buck nodded, "I'm thankful I never told her because I wouldn't want to deal with Maddie, my egg donor, and my sperm donor judging me for getting an ex-girlfriend pregnant and not getting back together with Ali. They'd probably call me too young and immature to be a father, say I shouldn't be a firefighter if I have kids, or my egg and sperm donor and possibly Maddie would most likely sue for custody of Cora and Nate if they think I shouldn't deserve to be a father."

"With how you are with Christopher, Denny, Harry, and even the children we encounter during calls, I believe you're going to be a fun and loving father, Buckaroo," said Chimney.

"Speaking of Christopher, have you told him and Eddie yet?" asked Bobby.

Buck nodded, "Eddie already knows about Cora and Nate because I wanted to tell my best friend first, and he's excited for me."

"What about Christopher?" asked Bobby.

"He was afraid that he won't get to spend anymore time with me after Cora and Nate arrive, but I told him that he'll get to be the cool cousin who teaches Cora and Nate how to be amazing, draw, play with legos, play video games, and go on fun adventures when Cora and Nate are old enough to enjoy the zoo, park, aquarium, and other fun places."

"I know you've been talking to Hen the past couple of weeks, but do Hen and Karen know?" asked Chimney.

"I told them when I had Hen, Karen, and Denny over at my new house last week. They're already setting up a baby shower to help me get everything I need before Ali gets induced on January 8th when she's 38 weeks pregnant," said Buck.

"As one of my ways to make everything up to you, can I offer my services to help you with the nursery?" asked Chimney.

"Yes," said Buck. He then decided to be a little shit he could be while smirking, "I just hope you're comfortable with helping me paint snakes and crows on the walls."

Chimney blanched, "Someone told you about the call with the crows the other day?" asked Chimney.

Buck nodded, "Both Hen and Eddie sent me text messages about you freaking out about the crows that were waiting outside the barn."

"Please tell me you're pulling my leg. Snakes and crows aren't a good theme for a nursery for babies," said Chimney.

"I'm not pulling your leg," said Buck.

"I know you are," said Chimney.

"No I'm not," said Buck.

"Yes you are," said Chimney.

"I'm not," said Buck.

"You are," said Chimney.

"I already ordered wall decals and pictures of crows and snakes to stick onto the nursery walls and ordered four sets of crib sheets with either snakes or crows on them. I also put on the registry I set up that I want plush snakes and crows for Cora and Nate," said Buck.

Chimney looked horrified.

Buck laughed as he took a picture of Chimney's horrified face while Bobby and Athena shook their heads, "Yes, I'm pulling your leg."

"I hope you know you're a little shit for pretending you were going to give your twins a nursery with the theme of snakes and crows," said Chimney.

"Being a little shit is a speciality of mine," said Buck.

"What's the actual theme you're planning?" asked Athena.

"The theme I plan to do for Cora and Nate's nursery will be a Finding Nemo theme. I'll be painting the nursery in a light shade of blue while wall decals of Nemo, Dory, Crush, Squirt, and other characters will be stuck onto the wall," said Buck.

Chimney thought about Buck's lack of knowledge of pop culture due to living in a household of two teachers who preferred sending Buck and Maddie to play outside, read books, play board games, and participate in extracurriculars like playing instruments like the piano, dancing, and playing sports, "You've seen Finding Nemo ?" asked Chimney.

Buck's eyes darkened slightly, "Maddie took me to see Finding Nemo in 2003, and it was one of the last good times we had together."

"Before Doug," said Chimney.

Buck nodded, "I know for sure I'll be talking to Dr. Copeland about what I learned about Maddie earlier."

Bobby looked at the clock, "Even if you two reconciled and we just found out about Maddie getting arrested, it's getting late."

"And even if it's Halloween, I still have work tomorrow unless I call in or the police wants my statement about my relationship with Maddie," said Buck.

"Just be truthful about you two disagreeing your professional life, and you gave her a timeout until she sought therapy for the traumas for which she never got therapy," said Athena.

"That's what I'm planning," said Buck.

"Just remember, you're not to blame for your sister's arrest tonight," said Chimney.

"Sooner or later, she was going to snap after not getting proper help for the traumas she faced since she was a kid," said Athena.

"I know, and no matter if she's sent to prison or a psychiatric hospital, she'll be forced to seek psychiatric help," said Buck. He stood up, "I'm going to head home now."

Athena looked at Chimney, "Since your apartment is a crime scene right now, you can stay the night."

"I appreciate it, and at least I already have my duffel bag packed and stored in my car for tomorrow," said Chimney.

Buck returned home to find the light on in the kitchen, and he grimaced when he found Ali dipping teriyaki-flavored beef jerky into a small container of blueberry-flavored Greek yogurt, "New pregnancy craving?" asked Buck.

Ali nodded, "Cora and Nate wanted teriyaki beef jerky dipped in blueberry Greek yogurt. They're loving it."

Buck grimaced, "I'm going to get some sleep. Early shift tomorrow morning while I might be interviewed by police and brace for impact."

"Police and brace for impact?" asked Ali.

"Chimney broke up with Maddie earlier," said Buck as he explained what Maddie did.

When Buck was finished, Ali shook her head, "With how she was acting when you were in surgery, I figured her behavior was going to bite her in the ass," said Ali.

Buck nodded, "I know."

"What do you mean by brace for impact?" asked Ali.

"If the police don't contact my donors in Hershey tonight or tomorrow morning, Maddie will most likely be calling them when she's finally allowed access to a phone to cry to the donors about getting arrested. I already got emails from my egg donor scolding me for transferring to a different firehouse behind Maddie's back and not quitting firefighting like Maddie wanted me to," said Buck.

Ali thought about Buck telling her he was raised by WASPs, "Which means they'll be judging us when they find out you're expecting twins, and I signed away my rights to Cora and Nate."

Buck nodded, "Yep, and I'm thankful I never told Maddie about you showing up back into my life pregnant with twins and Bobby and Athena are going to be adopting me on Friday because she'd most likely call them if I told her."

"Thank goodness for small miracles of you not talking to your sister," said Ali.

Buck nodded, "Aside from Maddie confronting me at the 144, I stopped talking to Maddie after Chief Alonzo knocked on the door of my old apartment and told me he was giving me my job back himself and transferred me due to Maddie dating Chimney."

"Even if Chimney broke up with Maddie, do you think it's possible for you to return to the 118?" asked Ali.

"Even if Chimney and I agreed to attend therapy together just like Bobby and I are, it depends if Chief Alonzo and HR would allow me to work under Bobby after he and Athena adopt me," said Buck.

A minute later, Buck headed to the primary bedroom, and Ali started making herself a box of macaroni and cheese with strawberry milk instead of white milk.

Two afternoons later, Buck, the 118, some members from the 144, a supportive Michael, and even May, Harry, Denny, and Christopher were at Buck's new house to celebrate Buck becoming Evan Buchanan Grant-Nash.

Michael, who accepted Buck choosing to change his last name to Grant-Nash due to Athena not reverting back to her maiden name, Carter, following the divorce due to May and Harry looked at Buck, "How does it feel to no longer be a Buckley?" asked Michael.

"After how my egg and sperm donors were to me growing up and how Maddie's been to me ever since she came back into my life before I cut her off a few weeks ago, I'm glad to cut ties with my birth family," said Buck.

Michael, who was disgusted when he learned that Buck was only born to be a savior sibling and how his birth parents treated him after Daniel died, rested a hand on Buck's shoulder, "At least telling the judge about how you were treated by your birth parents for not saving their oldest son helped."

"It did," said Buck.

Michael looked around Buck's new house, "Even if I went through the house before you put in an offer, you found yourself a good home for you and your twins."

"I know, and I'm grateful there are no stairs, and the primary bath has both a tub and a shower stall. I'll be able to sleep in my bed when I have surgery after Christmas," said Buck.

Chimney joined them while Michael walked away, "Any word on your sister's psych hold?" asked Eddie.

Buck nodded, "Following the traumas she's been through since 1988, she's been diagnosed with Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder."

"When your older brother got sick, loosing Daniel, being forced to raise you, and marrying an abusive man to escape Hershey," said Chimney.

"Then killing Doug herself and my leg getting crushed and everything that happened, which led her to snap eventually," said Buck. He sighed, "Thanks to being emotionally abused by my parents through them ignoring me or saying hurtful things while I self-harmed through being a daredevil with stunts to get their attention; I got the same diagnosis when I was going to the Academy."

"As I said before, your birth parents are horrible people," said Chimney.

Buck nodded, "They are, and I'm grateful that I won't be passing down the Buckley name down to Cora and Nate."

"Have they heard about Maddie being placed in a psych hold?" asked Chimney.

"I gave the cops and the psychiatrist that contacted me the number for the land-line at my childhood house in Hershey and my birth father's cell phone number, but I haven't heard anything from them thanks to me changing my phone number and blocking them and blocking their email addresses," said Buck.

"Did the police or psychiatrist heard anything from them?" asked Chimney.

"The police told me that when they identified themselves over the phone, their response was, 'what did Evan do now?' before they didn't sound emotional or say anything when they were told that Maddie got arrested on Wednesday night and is facing charges for breaking and entering, destruction of property, harassment, battery, assault of an officer, resisting arrest, and yesterday charges for stalking were added," said Buck.

"So Tara found out about Maddie stalking her then?" asked Chimney.

Buck nodded, "Sue told me Tara showed up at the Dispatch Center yesterday because she realized Maddie was lying due to your inability to hold a poker face. Tara went right to the police and added if stalking charges could be added."

"Really?" asked Chimney.

Buck nodded, "Yep."

"How did your birth parents react about Maddie getting arrested?" asked Chimney.

"The officer told me my birth mother said none of this wouldn't have happened if I listened to Maddie and quit being a firefighter and hired a defense attorney for Maddie," said Buck.

"No matter what, I think Maddie would still have stalked Tara whether or not you remained a firefighter or not," said Chimney.

"I think so, too," said Buck.

"While I'm grateful you didn't listen to Maddie and allowed Chief Alonzo to transfer you behind Bobby's back because doing so allowed me to be woken up about Maddie's and my relationship not being healthy. I shouldn't be dating someone who considers firefighting dangerous for her brother and not her boyfriend," said Chimney.

Buck nodded, "I understand because Ali and I decided it wouldn't be healthy to get back together since she realized she couldn't date a firefighter after my leg got crushed."

"Back to your parents, do you think they'll show up at the 144 if Maddie told them where you transferred to?" asked Chimney.

"Even if my birth parents know I've been going by Buck because of getting scolded about going by a nickname, everyone at the 144 already agreed that they're going to say that no Evan Buckley works there no matter if they show up during A, B, or C shift," said Buck.

Chimney laughed, "Which is true because you're now Evan Buchanan Grant-Nash."

"While I made sure to arrange new turnout gear, a new name badge, a new birth certificate, driver's license, social security card, and health insurance cards. I shall be getting everything within the next two weeks," said Buck.

"Good," said Chimney.

A while later, everyone was eating burgers, hot dogs, and other dishes in Buck's new backyard when Buck looked at Bobby, Eddie, Chimney, and Hen, "I have an announcement."

Chimney glanced over at Ali before looking at Buck, "Are you expecting triplets instead of twins?" asked Chimney.

Buck and Ali shook their heads, "There's only two babies."

"What's the news?" asked Bobby.

"I'm coming back to the 118," said Buck.

"Really?" asked Eddie.

Buck glanced over at a grinning Chimney, "Apparently, Chimney went to the Chief today and told them he broke up with Maddie and begged for my return to the 118."

"And you couldn't say no," said Bobby.

Buck nodded, "Even if I enjoyed being at the 144 the past couple of weeks, I missed you guys so much. I'll be returning to the 118 in a week."

"We missed having you around too, Buckaroo. The station hasn't been the same since you went on medical leave," said Hen.

Buck looked at Bobby, "I don't know if Chief Alonzo met up with you yet, but he's fine with me working under you as long as we continue going to therapy together like we started doing two weeks ago and we remain professional while on calls with me calling you Bobby or Cap."

"Since I'm aware of other stations in the country with fathers/sons working together, we'll follow the rules Chief Alonzo gives us," said Bobby.

Buck looked at Chimney, "And Chief Alonzo was willing to have us work together as long as you change your behavior as you promised, and we attend therapy together."

Chimney nodded, "Aside from being mandated individual therapy and joint therapy sessions, I've been verbally reprimanded and mandated to attend various courses on anger management, sexual harassment, and a few other courses."

"While I hope you promised not to date a colleague's sister again," said Hen.

Chimney nodded, "I swore off dating family members of coworkers after breaking up with Maddie."

A moment later, Captain Tyler, who had shown up to celebrate Buck being adopted by Bobby, heard his phone ring and frowned when he saw it was the Captain for the shift that was working today, "I need to take this," said Captain Tyler before walking away to a different part of the yard.

A few minutes later, Captain Tyler rejoined everyone at the patio and picnic tables that were set up and looked at Buck, "Margaret Buckley got arrested ten minutes ago for assaulting an officer at the 144 when police were called when she showed up demanding to speak to you and was told to leave the station."

"Any word on my birth father Phillip Buckley?" asked Buck.

Captain Tyler shook his head, "There was no man named Phillip Buckley with her."

Chapter Text

After the shock of Margaret Buckley being arrested went away, Athena looked at Buck, "Even if you're now a Grant-Nash instead of a Buckley, should I have to worry about one more Buckley causing chaos?" asked Athena.

"Unless my birth father is finished with the 'happy wife, happy life' bullcrap and decided to stop enabling his wife, I don't think we need to worry about anyone unless Cora and Nate end up with my personality," said Buck.

"I think it's time to finish with the party and deal with your birth mother," said Athena.

"As long as I don't have to face her myself so I don't have to deal with her demanding I see about Maddie's charges being dropped and get her charges dropped when I wasn't near both her or Maddie when they committed their crimes," said Buck.

"I'm not going to drop the charges I'm pressing against, Maddie. I definitley want her to pay me back for everything I'm having to replace following her rampage in my apartment," said Chimney.

"You shouldn't," said Buck. He sighed, "When Maddie first bribed the building manager with flashing herself when she escaped Doug to come out here, I should have called the police then."

"What's done is done, and what matters now is Maddie's finally getting help for the traumas she didn't seek help for and facing consequences for her actions," said Athena.

"I know my birth mother is pissed at me, but I'll have to wait and see how my birth father is reacting to everything," said Buck.

 Buck, Bobby, and Athena were at the station where Margaret Buckley was taken for processing.

"I don't want to face her at the station or call my birth father so I could find out where he is just in case he's mad at me," said Buck.

"It'd be unethical for me to contact your birth father about his wife's arrest, but if you give his number to another officer, they'll call him for you, Baby," said Athena.

"Alright," said Buck.

A minute later, Buck gave Athena's boss his father's cell phone number, and a few minutes later, Phillip was contacted.

After Captain Maynard talked to Phillip, she hung up and looked at Buck, "Mr. Buckley was at home in Hershey, Pennsylvania."

"He really didn't fly out here, too?" asked Buck.

Captain Maynard, who knew about Athena adopting Buck, nodded at Buck, "He mentioned he was done enabling your birth mother and older sister, so he chose to remain in Hershey."

"Should I expect him to fly out here as soon as he can get a plane ticket?" asked Buck.

Captain Maynard nodded, "He got a non-stop flight to LA on Sunday morning from Philidelphia at 7:05 AM Eastern Time, meaning he'll be here by noon on Sunday."

"At least he's not rushing to get here like my egg donor did," said Buck.

On Sunday afternoon, Buck, Phillip, and an officer from the station were in a conference room together.

"Your mother wanted me to come with her and talk sense into you about withdrawing the charges against Maddie-," said Phillip.

Buck decided not to correct Phillip about who his mother is, "I wasn't the one who pressed charges against Maddie. I haven't talked to her in a couple of weeks."

"I know because I talked to the Detective about what led to Maddie's arrest before telling her what Maddie did. Your mother wasn't listening to me and told me she'll be filing for divorce when she gets Maddie's charges dropped," said Phillip.

"Either way, no one will be dropping the charges against Maddie. Maddie destroyed property following her ex breaking up with her because he realized that their relationship isn't healthy, she assaulted a stranger who had told her to leave, and then assaulted a police officer when evading arrest," said Buck.

"I agree that Maddie should face the charges against her. I know wherever Maddie gets sentenced, the judge will insist that Maddie attends therapy for all the traumas she had to face since 1988," said Phillip.

"For someone who hates therapy, you're not going to protest Maddie possibly being mandated therapy by a judge?" asked Buck.

Phillip shook his head, "When talking to a therapist while Margaret was flying out on Friday morning, I was scolded for never getting Margaret, Maddie, and myself therapy after Daniel died and forcing your sister, who was still a kid herself to take care of you."

"Good," said Buck.

"The therapist also said he wasn't surprised when I mentioned that Maddie got diagnosed with Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder following a mental breakdown after getting broken up with," said Phillip.

Buck nodded, "I've been going to therapy mandated by the LAFD for over two years now. I diagnosed with both ADHD and Complex-Post Traumatic Stress Disorder due to the emotional abuse I faced growing up and Maddie's abandonment back in 2017."

"Mandated therapy?" asked Phillip.

"When my application got accepted and I passed the interview process, I was mandated therapy so I could work through my childhood following me disclosing that I was a savior sibling for an older brother who passed away from leukemia and how I was treated growing up to ensure I don't have a God-Complex. Now over two years later, I'm still going to therapy which is beneficial because I'm not able to save everyone as a firefighter and the traumas I faced on and off the job this year," said Buck.

"I'm glad you sought therapy when you did," said Phillip.

Buck nodded, "I always planned on getting therapy when I finally picked a city to settle down in, and it helps that therapists are available for first responders."

"Even if you ended up in the hospital a few times this year, do you love your job as a firefighter?" asked Phillip.

Buck nodded, "I love it. The people I work with became a family to me while I became an older brother to two kids and a fun uncle to a few other kids." 

"Older brother?" asked Phillip.

Buck looked into his birth father's eyes, "A few hours before getting the phone call about Margaret being arrested-."

"You shouldn't call your mother by her first name," said Phillip.

Buck shook his head, "You, Margaret, and Maddie aren't legally my parents or older sister on paper anymore."

"What do you mean?" asked Phillip.

"As of Friday morning, I'm now legally known as Evan Buchanan Grant-Nash when the two people who became the parents to me during the past two years adopted me," said Buck.

Tears leaked from Phillip's eyes, "You got adopted as an adult?" asked Phillip.

Buck nodded, "Even I appreciate you telling me about Daniel while sending me up to $500 every month, I deserve better after how I was treated by you, Margaret, and even Maddie. Unlike you, Ma and Pops were there for me while I was in the hospital back in May and taking me to doctor appointments, being there for surgeries, cheering me on during physical therapy, cooking meals for me so I didn't have to live on takeout, and comforted me after my ex-girlfriend broke up with me following my release from the hospital. Pops would hug me while he taught me how to tie a tie and cook. Ma, who works as a police sergeant, has been treating me like one of her own after I saved her from being shot at a few months of me working as a firefighter."

More tears leaked from Phillip's eyes, "Maddie's arrest made me realize I made a lot of mistakes following the aftermath of Daniel's death, and you deserve better."

"Thank you for understanding," said Buck.

Phillip pulled a newspaper article out of his pocket to show Buck an article from two weeks back: FORMER HERSHEY RESIDENT FIREFIGHTER EVAN BUCKLEY SAVES OVER A DOZEN OF LIVES DURING THE SANTA MONICA TSUMANI WHILE ON MEDICAL LEAVE. HE WILL BE A RECIPIENT FOR THE MEDAL OF VALOR, "Even if I believe your job is dangerous, I hope you know I'm extremely proud of the man you became."

"The tsunami was a frightening experience, but I'm thankful I was there and survived," said Buck.

"Knowing Daniel, he's been watching over you as your guardian angel. When I had a moment with him before he passed away, he told me he wasn't afraid of dying because he believed God had plans of making him your guardian angel," said Phillip.

"I've been considering him my guardian angel this year," said Buck.

"Even if you were in the wrong place at the wrong time, over a dozen people got to go home to their families thanks to you," said Phillip.

"While surviving allowed me to find out I'll be holding my son and daughter in January," said Buck.

Phillip looked at Buck in shock, "Are you telling me you're soon going to be a father to twins?" asked Phillip.

Buck nodded as he pulled an ultrasound picture out of his wallet. "My ex-girlfriend Ali is pregnant with my kids Nate and Cora. Labor will be induced on January 8th when Ali's 38 weeks pregnant."

"Are you getting back together with Ali and doing the honorable thing and marry her?" asked Phillip.

Buck shook his head, "We discussed that it wouldn't be best for us to get back together. Ali's not ready to become a mother because she loves working as an interior designer who travels all over the country and hasn't been a fan of my job since my leg got crushed. We already met with a lawyer, and she's signed away her paternal rights following the twin's birth and will be leaving Los Angeles as soon as her doctor clears her to travel."

"You didn't tell Maddie about you expecting twins because of your birth mother and me," said Phillip.

Buck nodded, "I wasn't going to have someone who's not supportive over my career choice or me choosing to become a single father be around me or my children, so yeah, I didn't tell Maddie so she wouldn't tell your wife  who'd judge me for knocking up my ex-girlfriend."

"Just in case the three of us would insist on you marrying Ali and quit firefighting or give up Cora and Nate to Maddie or for adoption if you weren't going to quit your job," said Phillip.

Buck nodded, "Exactly."

"Even if I know my wife and Maddie would have things to say, I'm not going to judge you for choosing to be a single father while working as a firefighter. I could have ended up being a single father to you and Maddie if Margaret's PPD following your birth and her grief over Daniel's death caused her to commit suicide," said Phillip.

"She thought about it?" asked Buck.

Phillip nodded, "She did, but I thought a fresh start away from everyone judging us for having you before and after Daniel's death would be the best choice of action."

"Except your choices didn't help," said Buck.

Phillip nodded, "This past year shows that my choices weren't the best, and it's a good thing Margaret and I have already retired from being teachers a few years ago."

"You need to stop enabling her grief and get her help for untreated PPD if she never sought treatment," said Buck.

"When I talked to the police, I mentioned that Margaret has been living with PPD since you were born and was briefly suicidal following Daniel's death. She's currently on a 72-hour psych hold, and when she's on antidepressants she'll be in front of a judge," said Phillip.

"Good, but no matter what I can't trust Maddie or your wife to be around Cora, Nate, and me," said Buck.

"What about me?" asked Phillip.

"Even if you admitted you saw a therapist on Friday and you told me about Daniel following me running away from Hershey, I'm not sure if I could trust you around Cora, Nate, and me," said Buck.

"I understand," said Phillip.

"Thank you for understanding," said Buck.

"Now, back on topic about Cora and Nate, you're going to be a single father to twins?" asked Phillip.

Buck nodded, "It doesn't pay to date anyone when I'm going to be a father to twins, and I'll have my colleagues, their family, and even a live-in nanny helping me out."

Phillip thought about the trust fund his parents left Buck, and he couldn't blame them for giving Buck a larger trust fund that has more than Maddie's trust fund, "Please tell me you used the trust fund I sent you information about over the summer to buy a house as soon as you found out you're expecting twins."

"I used the trust fund to buy a five-bedroom and a four-bath house in full and moved in quickly with the help of paying by cash. Then, I used the trust fund to buy furniture for the living room, a larger table for the dining room, and furniture for the nursery because everyone else told me to let them cover bassinets, clothes, and other supplies for Cora and Nate. Aside from my paychecks, I have enough of the trust fund left to pay for childcare and the twins' education," said Buck.

"Good, and don't forget about paying for sports and dance classes, too. With your energy as a child, I won't be surprised if Cora and Nate need various extracurricular activities to help keep them busy outside of school," said Phillip.

Buck nodded, "Even if I'm going to require Cora and Nate to learn how to swim as soon as they're old enough to start learning how to swim, I'm going to allow Cora and Nate to play whatever sport they want and participate in any classes or lessons they want to have."

"You're going to be a much better father than me," said Phillip.

Chapter Text

The day after building gingerbread houses with Christopher, Harry, and Denny at his home, Buck headed to the law office, where Maddie's Estate lawyer, Donna, contacted him about meeting him at Maddie's request.

Buck's eyes widened when he saw a check for over $350,000 written.

"When I met with Maddie at the prison yesterday about her martial assets from her marriage to Doug, she told me to give you $350,000 of the check, $5,000 to Mr. Howard Han, and place the rest in her bank account," said Donna.

"Does she have any motives like needing me to visit her, quitting my job as a firefighter, or getting her a new defense attorney in the hope the charges she's spending five years locked up for to get dropped?" asked Buck.

Donna shook her head, "She didn't say anything but that she's sorry about her behavior over your injuries and career this year and she's been talking to a psychiatrist twice a week and taking medication to help her with her C-PTSD."

Buck sighed in relief, "That's good because she never took therapy seriously until now."

"She also wanted me to give you this," said Donna as she passed Buck an envelope with Buck scrawled on the front.

A moment later, Buck was reading the letter from his sister.

I know Donna will tell you that I asked her to tell you that I'm sorry about my behavior this year regarding your health, your career, still seeing you as the little boy I had to take care of instead of an adult, and dating someone you work with, which led you to be transferred away from the man you looked up to as a father and your best friend. I've been seeing a psychiatrist twice a week while I've been taking medication to help me with my mood. I wanted to tell you why I reacted the way I did over your job because Mom and Dad told me not to tell you.

You had an older brother who became sick with juvenile leukemia in July of 1988, and he didn't respond to treatment while no one in the family was a match to donate bone marrow. So, as a last attempt to save Daniel, they decided to have you as a savior sibling. You were a perfect match, but the bone marrow didn't graft, and Daniel had a relapse before passing away when he was eight, and you were one. Our mother has been suffering from post-partum depression ever since, and that's why she never bonded with you while she resented you for not saving Daniel.

I didn't want you to return to firefighting because I couldn't lose another brother, and attending court-mandated therapy while in prison made me realize I handled everything wrong. It turns out I've been resenting you for having to give up a lot to take care of you before I allowed myself to marry an abusive man to escape our parents and being forced to take care of you when our parents checked out after Daniel's death.

Even if Mom and Dad made me promise not to tell you, I'm sorry for not telling you when you were old enough to understand.

I asked Donna to give you the check. I don't care if you keep it, donate it to charity, or burn it. I wrote my ex-boyfriend a $5,000 check to replace everything I destroyed when he broke up with me.

I'm sorry for everything, and I understand if you don't respond to this letter.

When Buck found out that Bobby was debating between ordering Chinese food or burgers for dinner on Christmas Day, Buck secretly started arranging a Christmas dinner with turkey, ham, and various other dishes and desserts while asking Athena, Karen, Ali, Tia Pepa, Eddie's Abuela, and even Ali who was on bed rest unless she had to use the bathroom, attend her weekly appointments, or get up to do some walking to prevent blood clots to help him prepare dinner and have various family members of the 118 to show up after learning how upset Christopher, Harry, and Denny were about him, Bobby, Hen, and Eddie having to work on Christmas Day.

Athena gave her eldest son an amused look as everyone plotted what they were going to bring and who would contact who for the other 118 members so Buck wouldn't be on his phone a lot, "Are you going to be this much of a handful during holidays that requires you to be on shift?" asked Athena.

Buck gave Athena an angelic smile, "Can you blame me? This year was rough, and we need another good thing to finish the year."

"I have to agree with Buck. Hen's ambulance accident last month and IVF failing was difficult for Hen and me," said Karen.

"While Eddie and Christopher lost Shannon, and then Evanito and Christopher almost died in the tsunami," said Abuela softly.

"I agree this year was rough," said Athena.

Lying down on Buck's Lovesac couch, which Buck bought thinking an eight-seater ten-side Lovesac sectional couch would be epic for forts, sprawling out with Cora, Nate, and a visiting Christopher while watching movies or playing video games, and even provide additional sleeping space for guests, Ali rubbed her belly, "Cora and Nate will be my Christmas gift to you if they're born before, on, or after Christmas on their induction date in two weeks."

"I'm counting Cora and Nate and getting adopted by Ma and Pops some of the best things this year," said Buck.

"I agree about those two moments being good things, Baby," said Athena.

Karen decided to change the topic, "Buck?" asked Karen.

"Yes?" asked Buck.

"Hen told me about the call she went on that involved that boy ending up in a group home while his mother's in the hospital, and I was wondering if it'd be an issue to invite the entire group home to the 118 for Christmas dinner," said Karen.

Buck nodded, "Even if I got the OK from Chief Alonzo to arrange a Christmas dinner for the 118 and their family members while on shift, I don't think he'd have an issue with foster children being invited since we have the space."

"Ask him so we can make enough food," said Athena.

Buck, who liked the idea of using the check he got from Maddie to buy gifts for the children from the group home, May, Harry, Christopher, and Denny nodded, "I will."

"Now how are you going to get everyone out of the 118 so we can sneak in?" asked Tia Pepa.

"Even if Maddie's in prison, I'm still in contact with Maddie's former coworkers Sue, Josh, and Linda. They offered to keep us busy, and I could text Ma or May a codeword to let you guys know we're on our way back," said Buck.

"What word are you thinking?" asked Athena.

"Turkey," said Buck, causing Athena to laugh and shake her head.

Ali shook her head. "I wonder if I should be grateful I won't get to witness Cora and Nate possibly becoming dramatic, crazy, and mischievous like you when I'm cleared to start traveling all over the country for work again, and I only show up if Cora and Nate ask about me?"

Buck smiled as he approached Ali, who was lying down on the couch with a smile on her face thanks to the live-in nanny Janice, who's childless and used to be a pediatric oncology nurse for 25 years before burning out and became a live-in nanny so she could around children for a happier reason bringing Ali over to the 118 for the Christmas party he arranged with Athena, Karen, Abuela, and Tia Pepa's help after Christopher got upset about both Eddie and him having to work on Christmas Day, "Merry Christmas, Ali," said Buck.

"Merry Christmas, Buck," said Ali.

Buck then rested his hands on Ali's stomach and grinned when he felt two kicks in different places, "Merry Christmas, Cora and Nate. Daddy loves you two so much."

Ali groaned when she felt Cora and Nate kick again, "Cora and Nate are telling us that they love you, too."

"Have Cora and Nate been kicking a lot?" asked Buck.

Ali chuckled, "Cora and Nate were kicking away when Christopher sat by me and talked to the twins about how you made sure he would spend Christmas with his Dad and plotted with Athena, Karen, his great-grandmother, and his great-aunt."

"You were a big help by talking to everyone for me so I could be on my phone less," said Buck.

"Helping with this gathering kept me busy, and everyone had me direct where to put up the Christmas decorations for the party while the kids kept me company," said Ali.

"Want me to help you get to the table?" asked Buck.

Ali nodded, "Please, and here's a heads-up that Christopher and Harry already insisted you sit between them."

Buck chuckled as he thought about the kids of the 118 all adoring him, "Alright."

May looked at Buck and said, "I'm looking forward to being one of Cora and Nate's favorite babysitters when you give Janice time off, and I'm not in school."

"Not if we babysit first as their Memaw and Gramps," said Athena.

Karen, who was upset about IVF failing even if she and Hen were thinking about fostering while doting on Cora and Nate. "Or as their Aunties."

"Don't forget me as their fun uncle," said Chimney.

"Or Chris and me as Uncle and cousin," said Eddie.

Buck laughed as he thought about how loved Cora and Nate were going to be with his found family, "You're going to be their favorite Aunties, May."

"Have you figured out a rate for me yet? Mom said I can't charge you $100 an hour because of me being your sister," said May.

"While $50 an hour is too much, too," said Athena sternly.

"How about $25 an hour?" asked Buck.

May held out her hand and shook it with her older brother, "Deal."

"It's going to be weird being almost 11 years older than my niece and nephew," said Harry.

"Either way, Cora and Nate will have fun with you," said Buck. He looked at Eddie and said, "I know you're a lapsed Catholic, and I was raised Episcopalian, but I'd like you to be Cora's godfather."

"I'm honored," said Eddie.

"If you named Eddie as Cora's godfather, does that mean I'm going to be Nate's godfather?" asked Chimney.

Buck nodded, "Yes."

"I'm in for being Nate's godfather, but be prepared for me to spoil both twins with movies," said Christopher.

Buck laughed, "I figured you'd spoil them with movies."

Buck looked between Hen and Karen, "You two get to decide who's godmother to be."

When Bobby walked away to talk to a depressed-looking Michael, Athena looked at Buck, "Are you looking forward to getting the hardware removed?" asked Athena.

Buck nodded, "I'll finally be off blood thinners and be allowed to do rope rescues again."

"Even if you're going to be adjusting to fatherhood to twins with an Aircast," said Athena.

"It'll suck, but my surgeon said it's better to get the hardware out sooner than later," said Buck. He grinned, "Plus, I'm grateful I'll be bearing weight with an AirCast right away while I'll have Janice, who used to be a nurse, helping out."

"You'll also have multiple people who'll come over to help out while you're on medical/paternal leave, too," said Athena.

After a group picture was taken to celebrate Christmas, Ali grimaced as she rubbed her lower back.

Buck noticed Ali's discomfort, "You alright?" asked Buck.

"Another Braxtion Hicks contraction," said Ali.

Buck thought about the pregnancy books he read: "You're 36 weeks, and fraternal twins are usually born between 35 and 38 weeks. Dr. Halson did tell us you were three centimeters dilated and could give birth at any time during your check-up two days ago."

"It can still be Braxtion Hicks," said Ali.

The sound of water hitting the floor sounded, causing Buck to notice the wet front of Ali's dress.

"I don't think that was my bladder," said Ali.

Buck's face lit up into a large grin as he exclaimed, "You're in labor! We need to get you to the hospital now."

Bobby, Eddie, Hen, and Chimney, who had heard Buck shout, quickly ran over just as the alarm went off.

Chimney noticed the children and said, "Shoot. We're not going to be able to take you by ambulance."

Athena made her way over and looked at her husband, knowing that Janice had left the station to have dinner with her sister, brother-in-law, niece, and nephews, "If you can spare Buck, I can drive Buck and Ali to the hospital."

"That would be helpful," said Bobby.

Buck looked at Ali and said, "Aside from me having to change into my civilian clothes, I can see about getting you a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt of mine before Ma drives us to the hospital."

"OK," said Ali.

Later on that evening, at 9:10 P.M., Buck and Ali were watching Cora and Nate be born by C-section when the OB-GYN discovered that Nate, who was in the position to be born first, was feet first, and Ali needed to fast for a while.

An hour after Cora and Nate were born, Buck, who was grateful that his twins were healthy enough to avoid the NICU, grinned down at Cora and Nate, who was wide awake in his arms while both twins had the same birthmark as him on opposite eyebrows, "Hi Cora. Hi Nate. I'm your father, and we're going to be having a lot of fun adventures together. We're going to enjoy having trips to zoos, parks, beaches, parks, and aquariums while you two are going to be spoiled rotten by your family of firefighters, paramedics, and even police officers thanks to your grandmother being a police sergeant while the older kids of the 118 are going to be protective over you two," said Buck. He then saw a tear of his fall onto the blanket Cora was swaddled in, "Even if your mother and I won't be together, you two are the best Christmas gifts your mother gave me."